Dr. Fields had just finished a late-night surgery on a Labrador with a blocked intestine. Exhausted but satisfied, she left the clinic with everything humming. But by morning, it was chaos. A power surge overnight had fried two key machines—her digital X-ray system and the in-house bloodwork analyzer. Both were less than three years old, and together? They cost over $85,000 to replace.
Her policy didn’t cover all of it.
That’s when she realized she had assumed her general property insurance would handle everything.
If you’re running a veterinary clinic in Louisiana, you likely rely on high-dollar diagnostic, surgical, and treatment equipment every day. And if you’re not properly insured for those tools, one unexpected power outage or equipment failure could crush your budget.
Veterinary practices—especially those offering specialty services—often have equipment rivaling small hospitals. This includes:
Digital X-ray machines
Ultrasound equipment
Blood analyzers
Dental radiography
Surgical lights and tables
Centrifuges
Autoclaves
Many of these are high-value, high-maintenance, and essential for your daily workflow. When one breaks—or gets damaged in a fire, flood, or power surge—downtime equals lost income, canceled procedures, and frustrated clients.
Most commercial property policies will cover basic equipment damage caused by fire, storms, or theft. But what about:
Electrical surges?
Mechanical breakdown?
Accidental drops?
Operator error?
These often fall under equipment breakdown insurance, which is not always bundled in with your basic property policy. Without it, you might be paying thousands (or tens of thousands) out of pocket.
With the right policy additions, your coverage can include:
Repair or replacement of covered equipment
Coverage for lost income during downtime
Spoilage protection (think refrigerated vaccines or medications)
Power surge damage
Protection for leased or financed equipment
Veterinary offices in places like Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria need to factor in Louisiana’s unique risks:
Humidity-related corrosion
Frequent thunderstorms and power outages
Risk of flooding or roof leaks
Even minor moisture infiltration can destroy sensitive diagnostic tools.
You probably haven’t walked around your clinic and added up how much your tech is worth. But you should—and then ask if your current coverage could actually replace it.
At Kastner Insurance, we work with veterinarians across Southern Louisiana, from New Orleans to Acadiana, to make sure their equipment is protected the right way—not just with a generic property policy. Whether you’re a small animal clinic or a specialty surgical center, we can help you review your current plan and identify gaps before disaster strikes.
Contact us today to schedule a quick coverage review. You’ll sleep a lot better knowing your most valuable tools are fully protected.
Founded in 2017, Kastner Insurance Group is a full-service, independent insurance broker based in Lafayette, LA. Our insurance agents specialize in offering a variety of insurance products tailored to individual and commercial needs, making sure clients receive personalized and comprehensive coverage options from a variety of insurance companies/insurance carriers.
With over 43 years of combined experience, the team at Kastner Insurance Group is dedicated to providing expert advice and exceptional service. They proudly serve professional offices and businesses across Lafayette city/parish, Youngsville, Broussard, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, Acadiana, and statewide in Louisiana.
Call us today or visit our website for a customized quote.
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